Characteristics and Antibacterial Effect of Chitosan Coating Nanoemulsion Containing Zataria multiflora and Bunium persicum Essential Oils Against Listeria monocytogenes

Background: Nowadays, finding natural compounds with antimicrobial properties against pathogens is very important, especially for the food and drug industries. Objectives: The antibacterial activity of chitosan coatings nanoemulsion (NE) containing Zataria multiflora and Bunium persicum essential oils (EOs) was evaluated in a food model (chicken breast fillets) during 15 days of refrigerated storage. Methods: The chicken breast fillets were divided into seven groups: control, chitosan 2%, sonicated chitosan 2%, chitosan NE coating containing Z. muitiflora EO (ZMEO, 0.5%, and 1 %) and chitosan NE coating containing B. persicum EO (BPEO, 0.5%, and 1 %). Characteristics of chitosan NE coatings containing EOs were analyzed. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of coatings against Listeria monocytogenes was investigated. Results: The results showed good properties of the NE coatings. The analysis of EOs revealed that the major components for ZMEO were carvacrol (51.55%) and thymol (25.49%). In addition, the main components of BPEO were p-cumic aldehyde (38.39%) and p-cymene (18.36%). All treatments exhibited antimicrobial properties; however, the best result was recorded for chitosan NE coating containing 1% ZMEO, which was the lowest amount of L. monocytogenes (7.61 Log CFU/g). Moreover, L. monocytogenes analysis for chitosan NE coating containing 1% BPEO samples was 7.73 Log CFU/g. Conclusions: Therefore, based on the results of this study, chitosan NE coating containing ZMEO and BPEO as natural preservatives can be recommended for meat products, especially chicken meats.